"To complete our examination of the deduction that a considerable time was required for the deposition of the beds composing the crust of our globe, it will be necessary to consider that our earth experienced a greater surface temperature during the deposition of the beds, and that it has gradually decreased. This is a question of great importance, for it is evident that the higher the temperature, the great er the evaporation, and the power of meteoric agents, the more violent will be the storms, and the larger the quantity of detritus; consequently, deposits will be more rapidly formed in tropical than in temperate climes. And the same cause would powerfully influence the growth and increase of vegetable and animal life; hence, we find that both the land and waters are most crowded with organized creatures in the hottest portions of our globe. "The great vigour of vegetation in tropical climes can hardly be imagined by the inhabitants of this portion of the globe. The idea of a forest from any thing that may be seen in Europe, is very insufficient to paint the luxuriant vegetation of the tropics; nor could our cold deposits have been supplied from such scanty sources. We would rather refer to the vast forests of Brazil or Guiana, almost too thickly entwined to admit of human research, and to the luxuriant and extensive woods on the banks of the Missouri. If we can imagine the immense quantities of vegetable matter which is there produced all the year round, and year after year for ages, we may perhaps approach to the state of our northern climates when our coal beds were formed. Every thing connected with the coal deposits was tropical. Such was the climate that produced, the forests that bore, and the rivers that transported into their estuaries, the vegetables which were designed by the Creator to become, in future ages, the source of comfort and wealth to his creatures! "Another argument in favour of greater surface temperature, may be drawn from the abundance and size of organic remains. The naturalist as well as the botanist seeks the tropics to study, in all their varieties, the objects of his attention. It is not in our chilly seas that we expect to find the coral reef and the swarming testacea; it is not by the banks of our lakes and rivers we study the habits of the saurians and crocodiles; we must pass into more congenial situations, and watch the banks of the Nile, or sail over the broad surface of the Pacific. Yet beneath our feet, we have enormous accumulations of animal remains in the limestones and other rocks, which could only have been produced in an equatorial temperature. "But still a greater proof that the temperature of our planet has diminished, is found in the character of the vegetable re mains that are imbedded in strata. In the rocks associated with our coal beds, we do not find the plants which now inhabit our shores, but arborescent ferns and other vegetables, which require a climate at least as warm as the tropics. But these plants increase in size in proportion to the height of the temperature; and as those which are found in the coal measures are larger than any that we find in the hottest regions of the present day, we may fairly conclude that there was a higher temperature, even in these northern latitudes, during the formation of the coal measures, than can now be found on the surface of the globe. "If observation be extended to the.organic remains, we shall be impressed with the same fact. In certain strata of our own country the remains of oviparous quadrupeds are found, the whole class being now confined to the higher temperatures. But the animals to whoin these remains belonged were of a gigantic size, and were, perhaps, the lords of the creation. The fabled monsters of antiquity which have so often delighted and amazed our childhood, become sober truths when compared with the discoveries of geologists in this department of our science. Some of these reptiles are only found in marine deposits; some were terrestrial, and others inhabited the lakes and rivers. But they all required and enjoyed a temperature much higher than that which is now experienced in our northern latitudes. "In one deposit we meet with the remains of a monstrous terrestrial animal, at least thirty or forty feet in length, and from seven to eight in height. In another series of beds we find the bones of the iguanodon, a creature excelling in magnitude the megalosaurus himself. The ichthyosauri, crocodiles, and turtles, are also to be found enclosed in the solid strata of the globe. "Wherever we turn we find the remains of organized creatures, not only in such abundance as to assure us that they exist. ed under the most favourable circumstances, but of such characters as to convince us that they lived in a tropical climate. It would, therefore, appear that at the time when the solid strata of the globe were deposited, the temperature was much higher and more equable than it is now." Pp. 109-122. This long period of the earth's duration is accounted for by Christian geologists, either by a supposed intervening time between its creation and its preparation to be the abode of man; or by making the six days protracted periods, or by both of these solutions combined. Mr. Higgins follows the first of these methods, and views "How valuable soever the deductions of science may be, they cannot be regarded by a truly Christian mind as of equal au thority with the direct testimony of God. There is a possibility, under all circumstances, that our opinions may be false, however improbable it may appear. The premises from which we argue may be erroneous, or, if true, may be the exceptions to a general rule, and not the law itself; or if the premises be perfect, the deductions may be illegitimate, either from an imperfect view of the facts, or the want of some other fact which is necessary for the argument. While imperfection thus necessarily attaches itself to all human speculations, the word of God is necessarily true. Nor can human intellect and veracity compare itself with the perfect knowledge, power, and purity of the Almighty. "If, therefore, we admit that the Bible is Divinely inspired, we cannot with propriety either doubt the expediency of comparing scientific opinions and the testimony of God, or prefer our deductions to the explicit statements of Scripture. But we must rather experience a pleasing satisfaction in having a common test by which to estimate the value of accumu. lating knowledge; for, when we examine the sacred word of God for a history of the creation of the world, we come to the Creator for information concerning his own work, and the process by which he exerted his infinite power. "The history which Moses has given us of the creation of the world, and its state till the commencement of the days, is evidently a mere outline. The great object of the Divine Spirit, under whose guidance he wrote, was to detail the history of man, his character, condition, and prospects. He has, notwithstanding, furnished us with a few general facts, which are rather to direct our inquiries than to suspend them. Of those particular subjects on which he has not treated, we are at perfect liberty to form our own opinions. A theory of the formation of the earth ought therefore to be only a detailed description of the Mosaical history, a finished picture from the outline sketch which the Jewish legislator has given us. "The first chapter of Genesis, which contains all that God has revealed concerning the creation, may be divided into three periods: first, there is a statement that the heavens and the earth were formed by God. There is then a description of the earth previous to the days of creation, and afterwards a somewhat detailed account of the order in which the Almighty furnished the world during the can teach His character and attributes. distinct from all that follows. The object "This statement appears to be entirely which Moses had in view seems to have been comparative; and the whole stress God. The Israelites had seen idolatry in of the sentence rests upon the word of into the practice; but it was not the idols all its forms, and had frequently fallen they had seen or served, that created the heavens and the earth, but God." "This was done before the six days; how long, ly, at liberty to attempt to determine it by we are not informed, and are, consequentthe assistance of science."-pp. 131-137. deduce from the statement of the inspired "There are two facts which we would historian: that the world was created at some indefinite period before the commencement of the six days; and that it was created at once, without the interference of any secondary causes. the first day spoken of by Moses is certain, "That the beginning does not refer to for it is not mentioned as a part of the creation in the enumeration of that day's formed that on the first day it was in exwork. But we are, on the contrary, inistence, though unfurnished and covered with water. The term beginning, therepreceding day, or to thousands of years. fore, is indefinite, and it may refer to the To guesses there would be no end, for one of his conjecture as another; and at last would be as authorized to assert the truth must leave the decision of the question to constitution of the globe. the results of an examination into the "This is the province of Geology, and from this source only can we hope to decide the question, and to determine the state of the earth during the period which intervened between its creation and the beginning of the six days. "We are pleased to find that Dr. Chalmers does not think this view of the Mosaical statement inconsistent with the manner in which it is expressed, though we cannot allow, with him, that the substance of the heavens and earth was created before the things themselves. Does Moses ever say that, when God created the heavens and the earth he did more at the time alluded to than transform them out of previously existing materials? or does he ever say that there was not an interval of many ages betwixt the first act of creation described in the first verse of the Book of Genesis, and said to have been performed in the beginning; and those more detailed operations, the account of which commences at the second verse, and which are described to us as having been performed in so many days? or, finally, does he ever make us to understand that the genealogies of man went any further than to fix the antiquity of the species, and of consequence that they left the antiquity of the globe a free subject for the speculations of philosophers?' (Chalmers's Evid. Christ. Revela.) "Mr. Sharon Turner, also, well known and esteemed for his valuable historical works, entirely agrees with the principle we have advocated. The Mosaic chronology,' he says, 'begins with the forma tion of Adam, and with the six preceding days or periods, which commenced with the production of light. What interval occurred between the first creation of the material substance of our globe, and the mandate for light to descend upon it; whether months, years, or ages, is not in the slightest degree noticed. Geology may shorten or extend its duration as it may find proper: there is no restriction on this part of the subject.' (Turner's Sacred Hist. pp. 140. 142.)" "It has already been shown that a period of time intervened between the creation of the earth and the beginning of the six days. During this period the rocks which are the covering of the globe, were, in all probability, formed. The primitive rocks may have constituted the surface of the earth as it came from the hand of the Creator; but if they did, they have since suffered considerable alterations. It has been proved in the observations upon Theoretical Geology, that all the beds between the primitive rocks and the superficial gravels were formed before the deluge, and that they all resulted from causes similar to those which are now in action. It is quite incredible that they could have been deposited in that period which intervened between the creation of man and the universal deluge. It is naturally impossible, we think, that so vast a series of deposits could have been formed in the time; but, if this objection should be considered insufficient, we must allow that the whole earth was a long time beneath the waters, for the secondary beds, with but few exceptions, were formed by the sea, and contain animal remains. The beds of the secondary and tertiary classes must, therefore, have been formed before the creation of man, and during that period which intervened between the creation of the earth and the beginning of the six days."-pp. 148, 149. "Immediately after the creation of the earth, time began. Matter was endowed with certain laws: these laws immediately began to act; and the same causes and effects were as active at that moment as they are now."-p. 151. "The earth being prepared as the habitation of organized creatures, God creates, on the fifth day, all that moveth in the waters and in the air. On the sixth day He completes his work by the creation of all living creatures that inhabit the earth, cattle, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth.' Then God created man in his own image; in the image of God created he him.' "We have thus hastily reviewed the work of the six successive days of creation, in order to show the perfect concord of this history with the view we have taken of the former verses. Moses,' says Dr. Buckland, who is an authority of the highest class, 'does not deny the existence of another system of things prior to the preparation of this globe for the reception of the human race, to which he confines the details of his history; and there is nothing in the proposition inconsistent with the Mosaical declaration of the creation.' But it is not sufficient to say that Moses does not contradict the supposition; for if the view taken of his history be correct, he supports and establishes the opinion. "But, whatever may be the fate of human opinions, one principle can never be disproved, that, God being the author of both the Bible and the world, the testimony of both, when accurately read, must correspond. How disdainfully soever, the Divine testiniony may be treated by some who are ardently engaged in the investigation of nature, all theories that oppose its statements have error as their basis, and must fall to decay."-pp. 165, 166. We will only add, that if the undevout astronomer is mad, much more so is the infidel geologist. Literary and Philosophical Intelligence, etc. Easton, (Pa.) March 1. Something Newo.-We witnessed a few days ago at the Swan Tavern of Mr. John Burt, of this place, something which certainly deserves to be recorded among the inventions and discoveries of the present day. Mr. B. has succeeded in the profitable desideratum of making his fire pay for itself, by burning coal and limestone together, in nearly equal parts.-The fire must be kindled in the morning with pure coal, but through the day rather more limestone than coal is used. He thus saves several bushels of coal per week, and procures several bushels of lime. The process in stoves of the common construction is rather troublesome, as the lime must be taken out soon after it is thoroughly burnt; but Mr. B. hopes to construct a stove or cellar furnace which will answer a better purpose. To all appearances the stove emitted as much calorick as when filled with pure coal-the cylinder was, as usual, in a red heat. Origin of Disease.-I tell honestly what I think is the cause of complicated maladies of the human race; it is their gormandizing and stuffing, and stimulating those organs (the digestive) to an excess, thereby producing nervous disorder and irritation. The state of their mind is another grand cause, the fidgetting and discontenting yourself about that which cannot be helped; passions of all kinds, malignant passions and worldly cares pressing upon the mind, disturb the cerebral action, and do a great deal of harm.Abernethy. Ancient Coin-We have in our possession a pine-tree shilling, coined one hundred and eighty-one years ago. It is very little worn, the impression being nearly as fair as when issued from the mint. On one side is the representation of a pinetree, and the words "MASATHVSETS," IN, and on the opposite, "NEW ENGLAND, AN. DOM. 1652, XII." It is of about the size and weight of a Spanish crossed pistareen.-Barnstable Journal. Tennessee Silk.-We have a specimen of sewing silk manufactured in this county, a few miles from Nashville, which is truly beautiful-not inferior, we venture to say, to the best Italian. It is soft, flexible, smooth, and strong, and is deficient in none of the qualities of excellence. If Tennessee can produce such silk as this, why should we not be supplied from our own resources? The farmer might, with out materially interfering with any of his usual operations, devote a sufficient por tion of the time of some of his family to the rearing of silk worms and manufacture of silk. It would be a pleasant recreation rather than a task, and would be a source at once of handsome profit and agreeable pastime.—Banner. The Trombone.-In Gardner's "Musick of Nature," it is stated that the musical instrument known by the name of Trombone, is the Sackbut of the Scriptures. One of these instruments was discovered in Herculaneum, where it had been for nearly 2000 years under ashes; the lower part of it was made with bronze, and the upper, with the mouth piece, of gold. It was presented by the king of Naples to George III. of England, and from the model, the modern Trombone used in military bands with so much effect, was fashioned. Russian Annual.-The first publication of an annual has just taken place at St. Petersburg. It is in German, and is ornamented with several attractive plates, amongst which are a representation of the gigantick Alexandrine Column, lately erected in the Russian metropolis, a view of Kuero, in Finland, a Finland Woman in her national costume, and views of Adrianople, and the Mosque of Sultan Selim in that city. The Great Canal of Gotha.-This magnificent water line, which passes through the heart of Sweden, and unites the North Sea and the Baltick, was opened with great solemnities on the 26th September last. It will admit vessels drawing nine feet and a half water, and two and twenty feet in width, and they make the passage into the Baltick in eight days with the aid of steam boats across the lakes which occur on its line. It has been two and twenty years in construction, and costs rather more than 10,430,000 dollars, of which 6,378,334 dollars were contributed by the state. A friend, in whose judgment we have confidence, who has perused with great pleasure a recent publication-“ A Brief Exposition of the Constitution," by James Bayard, Esq., of the Philadelphia Bar, says "This work evinces a sound and discriminating judgment, prepared for the undertaking by an extensive examination of all the authorities upon the subject. The size and price of this neat volume render it peculiarly appropriate for the use of all those who desire to acquire a knowledge of the principles of their government, but whose pursuits, or tastes, render it inconvenient or impossible to study in detail Constitutional Law. It is therefore highly useful for schools and colleges, and the language and arrangement have been adapted for this purpose. The Constitution is examined in its own order, and after its own arrangement. Each section and article has a distinct commentary, and thus any instructor of ordinary abili ties is rendered competent to employ the book. All technical terms are avoided, except when absolutely necessary, and these accompanied by an explanation. The authorities are referred to in the notes." one. Systematick Labour.-The importance of systematick industry, and suitable divisions of labour, is not apparent to every The utility of it is made plain by demonstration. In the business of making pins, not less than five individuals are employed, through whose hands every one must pass before it is finished. One draws the wire, another cuts it, and a third sharpens the point. One makes the head, and another puts it on the pin. By this clas sification of labour, it is said ten men can make 48,000 per day; whereas if every man finished the several parts himself, by going through the different operations personally, he could finish but 20 per day, giving but 200 for the ten men, instead of the 48,000. The process of making type is of a similar kind. One of these little pieces of metal, containing on the one end (:) a colon, for instance, has to pass through four or five separate hands before ready for the printer's use. It is cast in a little mould by one, its sides smoothed on a piece of marble by another, its height regulated by a third, and its face examined by a fourth. By this means, innumerable numbers of these little leaden messengers are made in a day, which, if each individual finished a particular type, would make the work of a few hours a complicated and almost endless process. In all employments, whether mechanical, intellectual, or physical, the importance of system and order must be apparent, to insure success and the full realization of successful experiment.-Northampton Courier. Ancient Plants found with Egyptian Mummies in Tombs.-A memoir has recently been read at the Medico-Botanical Society on this subject, by M. Bonastre. It appears that fruit is frequently met with in Egyptian tombs, enclosed in baskets variously coloured. One of these, the Mimusops elengi, is a proof of the great vicissitude to which Egypt has been exposed, for this vegetable has entirely disappeared from the soil. No botanical work yet published in that country makes mention of this plant; it is only found in the island of Amboyna, and some of the isles of the Indian ocean. Myrrha and Bdellium in large fragments are also found. The fruit of the Rhamnus lotus, and that of the pine (Pinus lotea) have also been discovered in the same way, generally in votive baskets full of offerings. Heligious Intelligence. quired in poverty that they may obtain a Bible, or a New Testament; and how great therefore is the obligation of Christians who can afford it, to contribute liberally and cheerfully, to send this inestimable treasure to the destitute. 3. That in spite of all opposition, the Holy Scriptures are gradually becoming diffused among the Roman Catholicks; and 4. What a horrible and lamentable superstition that must be, which prevails among some of the priests of the "Man of Sin," under the influence of which they burn the Bible-Not, let it be observed, a Protestant translation, but one made by a member of their own |